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Radiation-induced genomic instability: radiation quality and dose response
Leslie E Smith1, Shruti Nagar, Grace J Kim
1Radiation Oncology Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA. lsmith@som.umaryland.edu
Health Physics
|July 11, 2003
Summary
Genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer, can be induced by radiation. This review examines how radiation quality and dose impact genomic instability, influencing radiation carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Genomic instability is crucial for cancer development, involving accumulated genetic changes.
- Radiation is a known inducer of genomic instability, potentially driving radiation carcinogenesis.
- Genomic instability manifests through diverse endpoints like chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of radiation quality (Linear Energy Transfer - LET) and dose on genomic instability.
- To explore dose rate effects of high and low LET radiation on inducing genomic instability.
- To summarize data on radiation-induced genomic instability endpoints.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on radiation-induced genomic instability.
- Analysis of dose and dose rate effects for high and low LET radiation.
- Examination of various genomic instability endpoints: chromosomal aberrations, delayed lethal mutations, micronuclei, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Radiation quality (LET) and dose significantly influence the induction of genomic instability.
- A low dose threshold effect exists for low LET radiation, beyond which instability does not increase.
- Both high and low LET radiation, even at low doses, can induce genomic instability.
Conclusions:
- Genomic instability is a key factor in radiation carcinogenesis.
- Understanding dose and dose rate effects is critical for assessing radiation risk.
- Radiation quality and dose are critical determinants of induced genomic instability.